May 07 - GSD Concern Over Increase in Tobacco Smuggling
GSD Opposition Spokesman for Justice, Selwyn Figueras, has today signalled his party’s support for the provision of a permanent berth in sheltered waters on the East Side of the rock for use by our law enforcement agencies, promised by the Government at the time of the last general election, to assist in the fight against seaborne and other forms of tobacco smuggling activity in the area.
Mr Figueras explained that: “It is neither a secret nor a surprise that the incidence of ever bolder acts of tobacco smuggling on the East Side,
whether on the beach or by boat, is on the up given the context of a deepening economic crisis on a national and, in particular, a local level over on the Spanish side of the border. I have been called upon by constituents to give voice to concerns about the safety of our law enforcement officers who are facing an increasingly hostile threat in the context of organised tobacco smuggling operations resulting from the recent imposition of far more limited restrictions on the passing of tobacco through the land frontier. Second only to the safety of our officers is the real issue of the potential reputational impact this increasing activity may have on Gibraltar generally.”
It is in this context that the GSD Opposition is expressing its support for the east side berth initiative, whilst noting actions already taken by the Government in this context, and asking when the Government expects it will be proceeding to provide such facilities and all the resources required by the relevant authorities in the discharge of their very important and valuable duties to this community.
